Spanish international linked with move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has cast further doubt over the future of striker Fernando Torres, after describing the Spaniard’s time at the club as “so-so”.
Torres joined the Blues in a £50m switch from Liverpool in January 2011 but has struggled to replicate his best form for both club and country since his move to Stamford Bridge.
Speculation since the end of the season has suggested that he may well find himself out of the club this summer, with the returning Mourinho not overly impressed by his contributions over the past two years.
In contrast, the 29-year-old has stated his desire to remain at the club and to continue winning trophies, as despite his struggles for goals on a consistent basis, he has been particularly successful since joining.
Nevertheless, Mourinho believes his record is mediocre and he is determined to bring in his own personnel this summer which may well spend the end for Torres who has also been linked with being part of a cash plus player deal for Napoli star Edinson Cavani.
“Torres so far is so-so. Somebody could expect more because of his potential, because of what he did before. But not so bad as people sometimes try to say,” Mourinho is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“There is a balance. Normally, the tendency is to say it was a big mistake. It was a big mistake because it didn’t work.”
Mourinho also moved to dismiss the old rumours that owner Roman Abramovich forced the signing of Andriy Shevchenko on him during his first stint at the club, claiming that he was happy with his arrival even though Samuel Eto’o had been the priority that summer.
The Portuguese tactician will hope to land his targets ahead of his first season back in charge, which could well spend the end of the road for Torres.
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